Pre-event publicity indicated that Canadian auction house RM’s third all Ferrari sale at the Fiorano racetrack could set a new record for a car sold at auction…… and they weren’t disappointed! Built in 1957, 250TR s/n 0714 was the fourth of a rumoured total production of 34 and despite extensive race history in both the US and Argentina, survives in highly original condition. Bidding was brisk and the hammer price of €9,020,000, reflected both its desirability and usability to global collectors.

The RM weekend is much more than just Sunday’s auction - also planned was a tour of the Factory, topped by an opportunity to watch the surviving Mille Miglia competitors pass through the Maranello checkpoint on their return to Brescia.

The Factory

Much has changed since my visit 12 months ago – the very impressive California Spyder assembly plant is now fully operational, whilst the engineering production facility has been revised with new exhibits and there is extensive usage of kaizen methodology (continuous improvement), which has delivered over 200 production changes to the site in the last 12 months alone. Adjacent to the old factory entrance (close to where Enzo Ferrari’s office was located) is the Classiche workshops – these were full of some very significant tipi, undergoing both maintenance (250 SWB, California Spyder, Lusso and 500 Mondial) and restoration (250TDF, 250PF and 375 Indy).

Mille Miglia

“It is because of the Mille Miglia that the Italian automobile industry exists” – Enzo Ferrari.

Ferrari won the 1,000 mile sports-car race from Brescia via Rome back to Brescia 11 times in its 27 year history, although for many the best known memory of this epic road race is the 1955 win of Sir Stirling Moss and the late Denis Jenkinson in the factory Mercedes 300SLR in a record 10 hours and 7 minutes.

Now a 1,000 mile, three day regularity trial over a comparable route, 375 crews assembled in Brescia for the start on Thurs May 14th and by the time they reached the Ferrari factory on the evening of day 3, the entry still took almost three hours to pass through the factory checkpoint.

As proof of how important motor manufacturers view this event, there was factory presence from amongst others:

• BMW - provided a pre-war BMW 328 for their Mobile Tradition Ambassador and ex saloon racer Prince Leopold von Bayern.
• Mercedes - had a 300SLR for ex former F1 racer, now TV pundit, David Coulthard and a 2009 built Stirling Moss SLR for his McLaren teammate and former world champion, Mika Hakkinen.
• Jaguar – supported a five car team of C and D types driven by amongst others, UK based collectors Peter Neumark and Alan Minshaw and US racer and Rocketsports Racing owner, Paul Gentilozzi.

The Mille Miglia retrospective continues to attract a global entry, is often 3 x oversubscribed and with a new organiser and long term commitment it remains one of the great automotive spectacles.

RM Auction

With 53 lots of automobilia and 39 cars, (36 Ferraris and three Maseratis) there was definitely something for everyone in Fiorano whether you needed a rapid refuelling rig for your race team, four Campagnolo wheels for your restoration project or a full size bronze sculpture of the immortal pre war Alfa 8C!

The backbone of automobilia was consigned by the F1 Gestione Sportiva and included assorted race suits from both current F1 drivers, a team motorcoach used between 2001-5 and an F2000 10 cylinder display engine. Overall, only one lot (the aforementioned engine) remained unsold and undoubted surprise was the €62,100 (all prices include Buyers Premium), paid for a suite of furniture, composing four 599GTB Fiorano driving seats and an Italian glass crystal tabletop, supported by 12 F1 pistons and connecting rods.

Of the 39 cars offered, nine were no-sales (including the 350 Can Am) and two were withdrawn, but there were some exceptional prices as over 1,000 bidders in the F1 logistics centre, and more on both the phones and internet, battled to secure their lot of choice:

• Generating the most publicity and largest price of the evening, was the previously mentioned 250TR.
• Dutchman Edgar Schermerhorn had consigned eight V12 GT Ferraris, of which seven sold and top price (€715,000) was paid for the ex-Lord Hanson, 12.5k miles from new 500 Superfast.
• There were two (old) California Spyders in Maranello …..and only one sold. A prominent collector paid €2,117,500 for a matching no’s, long wheelbase example with competition history, that had previously been raced in ’61 by Pedro Rodriguez and owned in the mid 90’s by FOC GB member Stephen Pilkington.
• One of my favourite Ferraris has always been the 250 SWB. Sleek, lithe and purposeful, the example on offer was one of just two chassis with a body designed by Giugiaro and fitted by Bertone. With a documented history, including several major concours awards, it was sadly a no-sale, with a high bid of €4,510,000.
• For those seeking a more recent tipo, RM sold a 2.5k kms from new 328GTS (€66,000), an ’01 spec, LHD 550 Barchetta with 6.4k kms from new (€126,500) and an as yet un-built 430 (which will be the last delivered in 12/09). This was donated by Ferrari SpA and sold for €180k, which will go to the central Italian region of Abruzzo, devastated by an earthquake in mid April. In a fitting touch, the car will be painted in the colours of the region – silver with a yellow stripe.

Thanks to Amy Christie from RM Auctions for arranging access to the factory for both the tour and the Mille Miglia. No more travelling for me for a few weeks, I’ve got some polishing to do. The Northern Ferrari Day is this weekend and the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power not far away…see you there!

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